Incumbent sheriffs in several southeast Missouri counties were unseated in primary elections, with unofficial results showing new sheriffs taking office in Madison, New Madrid, Ripley, Scott, and Wayne counties.
Why it matters: The primary results indicate a significant shift in local law enforcement leadership across the region, with voters opting for change in multiple counties.
The details:
- In New Madrid County, New Madrid Police Chief Joey Higgerson defeated incumbent Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Chris Hensley with 77% of the vote.
- Rad Talburt unseated incumbent Ripley County Sheriff Mike Barton, securing 79.9% of the vote.
- Sikeston Department of Public Safety Captain Derick Wheetley won the Scott County sheriff’s race against incumbent Wes Drury by 174 votes, with the vote totals spread evenly among three candidates.
- Kyle Shearrer defeated incumbent Wayne County Sheriff Dean Finch by 98 votes.
In other counties, such as Dunklin, Pemiscot, Reynolds, Stoddard, and St. Francois, new sheriffs were elected without incumbents on the ballot.
The unofficial election results also determined primary winners for several southwest Missouri sheriff’s races, including in Barton, Jasper, Vernon, McDonald, and Newton counties. These candidates will compete in the general election on November 5.
What’s next: The newly elected sheriffs will take office in their respective counties, potentially bringing changes to local law enforcement policies and practices. The winners of the primary races in southwest Missouri will face their opponents in the November general election.
Full story
Darryl Maylee will retain his position as Callaway County sheriff after winning the primary election on Tuesday. Maylee defeated challenger Curtis Hall to secure the Republican nomination. With no Democratic challenger in the general election, Maylee’s primary victory effectively grants him another term as sheriff.
He has held the position since first being elected in 2012. In other Callaway County races, Jody Paschal won the Republican nomination for assessor, while Christopher Scott narrowly claimed victory in the Western District Commissioner primary. Curt Warfield Jr.
Maylee retains sheriff seat
emerged as the Republican nominee for Eastern District Commissioner, and Debbie Zerr secured the party’s nomination for treasurer. Voter turnout in Callaway County was steady throughout the day on Tuesday.
The county reported nearly 1,800 absentee ballots cast prior to the primary election. The general election will take place on November 5, with several state and federal offices on the ballot in addition to the local races. However, many of the county positions in Callaway were effectively decided by the Republican primary results due to a lack of Democratic candidates.
For complete election results and updates, visit our website. We will continue to provide coverage leading up to the November general election.
- KFVS12.”Heartland Votes: Sheriff’s races in southeast Mo.”.
- KOAMNewsNow.”Sheriff primary winners decided in southwest Missouri”.
- ABC17News.”ELECTION UPDATE: Darryl Maylee retains Callaway County sheriff’s seat with primary win”.